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Netflix’sReturn of the King : The Fall and ascent of Elvis Presleytakes a deeper look into tumultuous periods of the vocalist ’s life , including his noted meeting with The Beatles during a complicated point in his life history . After fine-tune high school in 1953 , Elvis protrude his music life history with his first studio album release in 1956 . That same year , Elvis made his movie unveiling , appear inLove Me Tender . His hotshot continued to rise , but his life history was halted in 1958 when he was outline into the Army .
Elvis Presley expend two years in the Army , a period cloud in insecurity and interest that his fans would have forgotten about him . During that same time , Paul McCartney , John Lennon , Ringo Starr , and George Harrison formed The Beatles . Like Elvis , they draw in a younger crowd , at least at first . As the years follow and their popularity spread beyond the UK , it ’s no doubt that they became one of Elvis ' big competition during a meter when every vocation decision mattered . What looked to be the potential for a sinewy friendly relationship in the industry went in a surprising direction .
Elvis Met The Beatles At His Home In 1965
There Are No Photos Documenting The Group’s Only Encounter
As mentioned in the Netflix documentary , Elvis Presley crossed path with The Beatlesamidf his acting career . The meeting occurred in August 1965 , when The Beatles were invited to Elvis ' Bel - Air home . The existence was at the height of Beatlemania at the clock time , with the band enduring the travels of their third US enlistment . The meeting with Elvis happened on one of their nights off , andthe 1965 repair was the first and only time The Beatles came in contact with the King of Rock and Roll .
According to Billboard ’s charts , The Beatles had 20 songs dispatch # 1 compared to Elvis Presley ’s 18 .
At the time , Elvis ' own music career was n’t what it used to be , and he was entrap in an act contract that nearly derailed everything he had built . The Beatles , on the other hand , were massively pop , and despite being from the UK , their fandom in the US was develop by the day . There was an graspable amount of awkwardness when The Beatles initially met Elvis , especially since they were rising rivals .
Return of the King : The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley treat Presley ’s triumphant return to the stage after seven years aside making movies .
According to The Beatles ' press officeholder , Tony Barrow ( viaBBC ) , the small talk turn into " embarrassing muteness , " but that changed when The Beatles joined Elvis in what they all did well : play music . Barrow partake in that " music was their rude coming together point , " so the awkward meeting became a fun jam session . Unfortunately , there are no photographs or audio recordings of The Beatles playing with Elvis , but Barrow stated , " It was an amazing seance to heed to . "
Why Elvis Called The Beatles “Anti-American”
Elvis Later Turned On The Beatles
Three age after he met with The Beatles , the singer on the face of it have his melodious calling back on track withElvis ' 1968 replication special , the key event in focus of Netflix ’s infotainment . The special allowed Elvis to go back to his roots , demonstrate a vulnerable side of himself that many had never seen before . After repay to studio album and live operation , Elvis seek out a encounter with President Richard Nixon in 1970 , an interaction that led to Elvis labeling The Beatles as " anti - American . "
Considering the group meeting between Elvis Presley and The Beatles seemed to go well in 1965 , it was surprising that the vocaliser would in public call out the band a few year afterward . Netflix ’s Elvis documentary briefly dives into how the vocaliser avoided using his songs for political commentaryand world events . However , he also avoided putting down fellow musicians who did take that path with their music . When meeting Nixon in 1970 , Elvis had this to say about The Beatles ( viaNational Archives ):
" … the Beatles came to this country , made their money , and then rejoin to England where they promoted an anti - American composition . ”
It was truly ill-defined what caused Elvis Presley to turn on The Beatles . Though , the opinion apparently seemed from Elvis ' cause against " hippie acculturation . " The coming together itself was for Nixon and Elvis to discuss the country ’s ongoing drug trouble and the increase of protest civilization . Rather than voice his business organisation and take a posture , Elvis feel the motivation to single out The Beatles due to their connexion to " flower child culture . "
What The Beatles Have Said About Elvis & His Career
Some Band Members Shared Their Thoughts On Elvis' Comments
Elvis Presley ’s get together with President Nixon in 1970 was n’t the only clock time the Isaac Bashevis Singer criticize The Beatles , doing so a twelvemonth afterwards while touring FBI office . Seeing asThe Beatles had been so outspoken about the fact that Elvis was one of their fully grown influences , it likely was n’t easy for them to listen about the critique and pick he point their way .
Paul McCartney reportedly " felt a bit betrayed " after hearing the Nixon transcript , according toThe Beatles Anthologypublished in 2000 . Ringo Starr share similar sentiments , admitting the sorrow he felt upon learning that Elvis labeled the band as " bad for American Youth . " Still , several band members ensured their love for the musician was n’t whole move . Ironically , Elvis Presley ’s own drug abuse led to his untimely death in 1977 , impart a tragic destruction to one of life ’s most celebrated frame .
reference : BBC , National Archives , The Beatles Anthology
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